Social Media tactics are great tools for Not-for-Profits.  From Linked IN to Facebook, the opportunity to reach millions is waiting. In this presentation I made for the Salvation Army, a popular question came up about how to identify which tools to use and how can time be managed when using these tools?

Here is my simple list on how to develop a social media plan for any organization:

1.) Identify your two or three goals. (If a SM tool doesn’t compliment these goals, don’t do it)

2.) Identify your audience. Find out who they are and where they are conversing.

3.) Pick 2 or 3 tools that will help you reach your goals and your audience. Once you have successfully implemented those tools, then try new ones.

All in all SM efforts should be seen as strategic marketing/branding initiative.  If you don’t want to get caught up in the black hole that SM can be, go in with a clear goal and only do what makes sense.

More questions about eMedia, Social Media or this presentation, contact Jennifer Hertzig.

Today was much more productive and active than the first day at BCG&Co.  For the majority of the day I was filing different paperwork, such as the CPE documents and invoices for various vendors and clients.  Later in the day I met with Jenny and she told me about the different marketing techniques that the company uses. I found Linked In to be very interesting because she described it as the Facebook for professionals. She suggested that I create an account while I am in college so I can get help from accounting professionals and also post my resume or credentials for potential job openings.

Jenny also informed me about the company’s Twitter and Facebook pages, which also aid the social networking process. She is also able to see how many people visit the company’s website and what the majority of them are looking at. The marketing part of BCG&Co. was very interesting and was a lot of information to take in but it helped me to gain a better understanding of everything that is going on here.

Whether for yourself or on behalf of your company, branding yourself as a subject matter expert can have exponential impact on your professional career. With all the social media tools available, it is easier than ever to promote yourself and your knowledge.

Not sure where to start?
In this  post  “10 Steps to Personal Branding Success”from Joe Pulizzi, Co-Author, Get Content Get Customers and Founder of Junta42 he emphasizes that you don’t have to do it all to be successful, “The most important part is that you pick the steps you can commit to and consistently execute those steps.”

10 Steps to Personal Branding Success
by Joe Pulizzi

1. Update Your Online Profiles Now. LinkedIn, Facebook, and your Google profileare the most important. If you don’t have it already, buy your domain name. As a standard practice, all business cards you collect should be sent invitiations via LinkedIn. Finally, hire a professional to take your picture.
2. Start a Blog/Get Involved in the Conversation. I use WordPress and TypePad for my blogs, and you can be up and running with either in a short period of time. Follow and comment on the top 10 – 20 blogs where your customers are hanging out. Answer questions on LinkedIn Answers and Yahoo! Answers. Follow your name, brands and keywords at Google Alerts. Find and get active in a Google Group that makes sense.

Make sure you read the full post  for the other eight steps.